Tourist attractions Dresden

Architecture, castles and historic districts

Sophienstraße D - 01067 Dresden

Augustus the Strong's initial idea was to build an orangery on the site of an old fortress. His architect Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann embellished the original project to create this vast esplanade surrounded by galleries and pavilions. This Baroque ge..

Museums and art

Taschenberg 2 D - 01067 Dresden

The jewellery and gold work collected by Augustus II are now once again on display in the historical green vault of Dresden Palace, which takes its name from the emerald green colour of its main room. The 3,000 items are exhibited in nine magnificent..

Museums and art

Semperbau - aile ouest D - 01067 Dresden

The Gemaldegalerie Alte Meister houses paintings collected by Augustus the Strong and his successor Augustus III. Exhibits include masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance and Baroque periods, as well as works by Flemish and Dutch masters of the 17C, ..

Nature and gardens

D - 01067 Dresden

Lying between Dresden and the Czech frontier on the upper reaches of the Elbe, the region known as Sachsische Schweiz (Swiss Saxony) is one of Germany's most spectacular natural wonders with sheer sandstone cliffs and deep gorges gouged out of the ro..

Museums and art

Sophienstr. D - 01067 Dresden

This museum exhibits porcelain from Japan and China acquired by Augustus the Strong alongside porcelain from the unique Meissen works; the famous "dragon vases" are particularly impressive. Note the life-size porcelain figures from Meissen ..

Museums and art

Sophienstr. D - 01067 Dresden

You don't have to be a fan of weapons to be fascinated by the extraordinary pieces exhibited in the Rustkammer (arms museum). These beautiful examples of craftsmanship were collected by the Wettin dynasty of princes. The collection comprises 1,300 pi..

Museums and art

Sophienstr. D - 01067 Dresden

This room introduces visitors to the inventive genius of scientists through a display of clocks and other instruments dating from the 16C to the 19C. Admire the collection of sundials, hourglasses and different types of clocks, including floor clocks..

Architecture, castles and historic districts

Theaterplatz 2 D - 01067 Dresden

The opera house built by Gottfried Semper burnt down in 1869. The current one was built between 1871 and 1878 by Manfred Semper using the plans designed by his father, the builder of the first opera house. This building uses the forms of the Italian ..

Religious buildings

Schlossplatz D - 01067 Dresden

This huge building with the plan of a basilisk (1738-1755) was built following the conversion of the Albertins to Roman Catholicism. This conversion allowed them to accede to the Polish throne. Strongly inspired by the Italian Baroque, the church is ..

Museums and art

Olbrichtplatz 2 2 D - Dresden

This 19C building, which is intersected by an immense metal pyramid, houses the largest military museum in Germany. Renovated by star architect Daniel Libeskind, whose other work includes the Jewish Museum in Berlin, it reopened its doors in autumn 2..

Architecture, castles and historic districts

Brühlsche Terrasse D - 01067 Dresden

The panoramic Brühlsche Terrasse is joined to the cathedral by a monumental stairway: interesting view over the Elbe and the monumental buildings of the Neustadt district, on the opposite bank, including the imposing neo-Classical façade of the Saxon..

Museums and art

Wildsdruffer Str. 2 D - 01067 Dresden

Built between 1770 and 1775 to house offices of the State of Saxony, this Baroque palace is now home to a museum dedicated to the history of Dresden from its foundation in the 13C, with particular focus on the 19C and 20C.

Religious buildings

Kreuzstr. D - 01067 Dresden

This church, dedicated to the Holy Cross, dates from the start of the 13C. This is the oldest church in the city. It was rebuilt in Baroque style after its destruction during the Seven Years War (1760). It is home to the famous Holy Cross male voice ..

Architecture, castles and historic districts

Grosse-Meissner Str. D - 01067 Dresden

The Japanisches Palais is a vast quadrilateral palace built from 1715 to 1737 by Pöppelmann to house the Meissen porcelain tableware of Augustus the Strong. It is now home to the Ethnological Museum. Note the oriental style roofs of the corner pavili..

Museums and art

Köpckestr. 1 D - 01067 Dresden

All the skill and taste of the Saxons in terms of craft work are found in the many pieces exhibited in the oldest Renaissance building in the city, erected in 1568: furniture made from multi-coloured wood, ironware, crockery, etc. Saxon and Swabian r..

Architecture, castles and historic districts

Pillnitz D - 01326 Dresden

This residential chateau was built between 1720 and 1724 by M. D. Pöppelmann, the architect of the prince-electors. A new palace built between 1818 and 1816 after the fire of the old Renaissance chateau adjoins the Wasserpalais and the Bergpalais, th..

Museums and art

Sophienstr. D - 01067 Dresden

Inaugurated in 2010 as part of the reconstruction of the castle after being in storage for 70 years, the "Turkish Chamber" illustrates the court of Saxony's interest in Eastern arts and culture. The sumptuous objects displayed against a blu..

Religious buildings

Sophienstr. 1 D - 01067 Dresden

Building of the imposing Church of Our Lady began in 1726. It has become the city's emblem and is considered the building most representative of Protestant architecture. Its dome was destroyed by the bombings of February 1945, after which only 10% of..

Architecture, castles and historic districts

Schlosplatz D - 01067 Dresden

Almost entirely destroyed at the end of the Second World War, this Renaissance-style palace is still undergoing restoration. It houses the famous green vault, the treasure chamber of the dukes of Saxony, a collection of engravings and a collection of..